Challenges and Opportunities for European Entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley

Speaker:

Martin Gagen, 3i US, CEO and President; member of 3i Group plc, Executive Committee. Graduate with Honours Hull University and AMP INSEAD. He has been Vice-Chairman of the British Venture Capital Association and the Chairman of its Legal & Technical Committee. He is a founding member of the American Security Consortium.

Identify and meet with potential Bay Area commercial and/or technological partners to explore business opportunities and possible technology and strategic partnerships.

Showcase a cross-section of companies that are representative of what the European Multimedia market has to offer today.

Offer US associations and private companies in the multimedia and associated sectors an opportunity to get in touch with the largest network association in the Multimedia sector, active in over 20 different Western and Eastern European countries.

Participating companies from a variety of EU countries that will be present are as follows:

Martin Gagen is a member of the Board of 3i Group plc and its Executive Committee. He has spent 20 years in venture capital, investing in dozens of technology and leveraged buyout opportunities in the USA, Europe and Asia. He has experience in early and late stage venture, leveraged buyouts and industries including software, communications, logistics, security and retail. His IPOs include Research Machines, Morse Group, and Autela.

Martin is founder of the US business for 3i with offices in Silicon Valley and Massachusetts. Investments in early stage companies include SiGe Semiconductors, Cometa Networks, Sonim and OmniGuide. 3i has been equally active in the late stage, with recent investments in Skystream Networks, Placeware, AppShop, Top Layer and SCP Global Technologies. Martin is also CEO of the Asia Pacific business for 3i with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore. Investments include CGV, Amperex, CSMC and Vantec. As a director of 3i Group plc and a member of its Executive Committee he is responsible for the global direction of 3i’s 14-country organization.

Prior to founding 3i US, Martin was co-head of 3i’s UK business leading its London based Technology and Management Buyout Groups. He also lead the Group’s Asset Management (listed securities), Corporate Finance and Legal Teams. Martin qualified as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen. He has also worked for Investcorp in the USA, Italy, France and the UK focused on luxury goods companies including Gucci, Chaumet, Breguet, and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as industrial companies including Club Car and Meuller Pumps. He was also a director of Orion Software, a connectivity software start-up.

Martin graduated with honors in political science from Hull University and has attended the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD. He has been Vice-Chairman of the British Venture Capital Association and the Chairman of its Legal & Technical Committee. He is a founding member of the American Security Consortium.